Chennai Super Kings sign five uncapped bowlers

In a continuation of their auction strategy, Chennai Super Kings have beefed up their bowling department further by signing five Indian uncapped bowlers. The players are UP fast bowlers Imtiaz Ahmed and Ankit Rajpoot, Haryana quick Mohit Sharma, Karnataka pacer Ronit More and Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner R Karthikeyan.

Imtiaz is the most experienced of the lot with 15 first-class matches to his name. In the Ranji Trophy this season, Imtiaz was the leading wicket-taker from Uttar Pradesh taking 37 from nine matches at an average of 25.45, including three five-wicket hauls. He was with the Pune Warriors in IPL 2011 but did not get a game.

His UP team-mate Rajpoot made his first-class debut this season against Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy and collected 31 wickets from seven matches at an average of 18.80. He has not played limited-overs domestic matches so far.

Mohit played eight Ranji matches this season, taking 37 wickets, averaging 23.24 runs per wicket. Mohit has also played six List A matches, the last one being a warm-up match against England XI in January before the five-match ODI series. He took two wickets in the match, of Ian Bell and Craig Kieswetter, in eight overs.

More made his first-class debut this season playing two matches, and also has seven List A and one domestic Twenty20 to his name. The lone spinner among the new signings, Karthikeyan, plays for TI Cycles in the first division league of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.

Stephen Fleming, Super Kings' coach, had said two days before the auction that the team would focus on local seam bowling options. At the auction on Sunday, Super Kings bought three quicks - Dirk Nannes, Ben Laughlin and Jason Holder, allrounder Chris Morris and spinner Akila Dananjaya.

1) Agree with Sathish.Velu & Roxsport: Fleming is a smart cricketer, I hope he is considered for coaching India once Fletcher's term expires.
2) CSK strategy is smart. You can have many good foreign players but only 4 can play. More Indian player offers better option for the team. Players like Chris Gayle / Sunil Naraine (sure I have missed some more) are exceptions as they can help you win on their own.
3) To David_Doss - You may define local talent = Indian talent, it may not necessarily mean from same city or state but from India.

POSTED BY
ROXSPORT
on | February 5, 2013, 15:36 GMT

UP fast bowlers Imtiaz Ahmed and Ankit Rajpoot as well as Haryana quick Mohit Sharma did well this season & were noted. These are shrewd buys. Stephen Fleming is proving to be a great person to coach CSK. Alongwith MSD, he seems to be doing a great job in building a good team. Look at the way he quickly discarded Manpreet Gony who became a sensation in the Ist IPL. And, as we have seen, over the years, Gony isn't good enough for internationals.

POSTED BY
SRAM20
on | February 8, 2013, 0:52 GMT

If these guys get a game each this IPL, I will be even more happy. Great buys! Of course, Raina helped in giving good compliments for his UP mates, but still their stats look good. I wanted Fleming even before this Fletcher thing hit us. Fleming is a shrewd guy, and his chemistry with MSD has been seen by everyone (two IPL titles, one Champions League title). He should be approached to coach Team India. Since he works for CSK, N.Srinivasan can get him very easily and can give him a package deal to coach both CSK and India. Don't care if people say Fleming got the coaching job because of his relations with CSK. He IS GOOD ENOUGH!!

POSTED BY
on | February 7, 2013, 22:05 GMT

Teams should really look into Bangladesh Domestic cricket. Lots of talent there who could be signed up to enhance the team strength! I would highly recommend teams for this! New Zealand and Australia domestic is also something to look into as well :D

POSTED BY
prabha_cricfan
on | February 7, 2013, 12:39 GMT

Boling unit sems fine. Time to replace badrinath with another player.

POSTED BY
FM97
on | February 6, 2013, 8:59 GMT

Fine squad this,for CSK...just add a few batsman who have done well in this years Ranji trophy like Sheldon Jackson (Saurashtra) or local Ganpathi Vignesh and there will be a great squad of young Indian talent , exciting unknown foreign players and the big international stars from India,Australia,Sri Lanka & South Africa. BTW... Duncan Fletcher's contract ends somwhere at the end of the year and Fleming's contract with CSK will end after IPL 6 is over. So certainly there are no prizes for guessing whom India can have as their next coach.

POSTED BY
sweetspot
on | February 6, 2013, 7:16 GMT

@CricketMaan - Well spotted! No doubt Raina had a say in UP chaps being selected. Don't have any doubt about one thing - CSK are grooming Raina to be the next captain. This is one management that works well with its team. They just go for good attitude and encourage players to play happily. They also do not go after superstars hoping for firepower each time. Fleming is phenomenally insightful and CSK this year have all bases covered with lots of options.

POSTED BY
binu.emiliya
on | February 6, 2013, 5:54 GMT

Stephan Fleming should be INDIAN Coach he is good to spot the indian talents better than our national selectors,Ankit Rajpoot is a good bowler,hope he will get atleast one game .Mohith also impressed a lot in Ranji and he played well against ENG.

POSTED BY
class9ryan
on | February 6, 2013, 1:08 GMT

CSK had the least no of players in their squad , so its just signing in players so that in case of injuries 2 indian players they can have enough options .... i dont think they will get a game

POSTED BY
Temuzin
on | February 5, 2013, 19:23 GMT

Good buy. Rajpoot can next big thing if handled properly. CSK team of coach/captain/management is the most professional. They always end up with great selection. Let Stephen coach team India

POSTED BY
Sunil_Canada
on | February 5, 2013, 19:15 GMT

1) Agree with Sathish.Velu & Roxsport: Fleming is a smart cricketer, I hope he is considered for coaching India once Fletcher's term expires.
2) CSK strategy is smart. You can have many good foreign players but only 4 can play. More Indian player offers better option for the team. Players like Chris Gayle / Sunil Naraine (sure I have missed some more) are exceptions as they can help you win on their own.
3) To David_Doss - You may define local talent = Indian talent, it may not necessarily mean from same city or state but from India.

POSTED BY
ROXSPORT
on | February 5, 2013, 15:36 GMT

UP fast bowlers Imtiaz Ahmed and Ankit Rajpoot as well as Haryana quick Mohit Sharma did well this season & were noted. These are shrewd buys. Stephen Fleming is proving to be a great person to coach CSK. Alongwith MSD, he seems to be doing a great job in building a good team. Look at the way he quickly discarded Manpreet Gony who became a sensation in the Ist IPL. And, as we have seen, over the years, Gony isn't good enough for internationals.

POSTED BY
SRAM20
on | February 8, 2013, 0:52 GMT

If these guys get a game each this IPL, I will be even more happy. Great buys! Of course, Raina helped in giving good compliments for his UP mates, but still their stats look good. I wanted Fleming even before this Fletcher thing hit us. Fleming is a shrewd guy, and his chemistry with MSD has been seen by everyone (two IPL titles, one Champions League title). He should be approached to coach Team India. Since he works for CSK, N.Srinivasan can get him very easily and can give him a package deal to coach both CSK and India. Don't care if people say Fleming got the coaching job because of his relations with CSK. He IS GOOD ENOUGH!!

POSTED BY
on | February 7, 2013, 22:05 GMT

Teams should really look into Bangladesh Domestic cricket. Lots of talent there who could be signed up to enhance the team strength! I would highly recommend teams for this! New Zealand and Australia domestic is also something to look into as well :D

POSTED BY
prabha_cricfan
on | February 7, 2013, 12:39 GMT

Boling unit sems fine. Time to replace badrinath with another player.

POSTED BY
FM97
on | February 6, 2013, 8:59 GMT

Fine squad this,for CSK...just add a few batsman who have done well in this years Ranji trophy like Sheldon Jackson (Saurashtra) or local Ganpathi Vignesh and there will be a great squad of young Indian talent , exciting unknown foreign players and the big international stars from India,Australia,Sri Lanka & South Africa. BTW... Duncan Fletcher's contract ends somwhere at the end of the year and Fleming's contract with CSK will end after IPL 6 is over. So certainly there are no prizes for guessing whom India can have as their next coach.

POSTED BY
sweetspot
on | February 6, 2013, 7:16 GMT

@CricketMaan - Well spotted! No doubt Raina had a say in UP chaps being selected. Don't have any doubt about one thing - CSK are grooming Raina to be the next captain. This is one management that works well with its team. They just go for good attitude and encourage players to play happily. They also do not go after superstars hoping for firepower each time. Fleming is phenomenally insightful and CSK this year have all bases covered with lots of options.

POSTED BY
binu.emiliya
on | February 6, 2013, 5:54 GMT

Stephan Fleming should be INDIAN Coach he is good to spot the indian talents better than our national selectors,Ankit Rajpoot is a good bowler,hope he will get atleast one game .Mohith also impressed a lot in Ranji and he played well against ENG.

POSTED BY
class9ryan
on | February 6, 2013, 1:08 GMT

CSK had the least no of players in their squad , so its just signing in players so that in case of injuries 2 indian players they can have enough options .... i dont think they will get a game

POSTED BY
Temuzin
on | February 5, 2013, 19:23 GMT

Good buy. Rajpoot can next big thing if handled properly. CSK team of coach/captain/management is the most professional. They always end up with great selection. Let Stephen coach team India

POSTED BY
Sathish.Velu
on | February 5, 2013, 17:45 GMT

This is why I say stephen fleming is a good coach and he can be a good coach to our indian team too, sack fletcher and appoint stephen, people will say csk is rulingindian team. But who cares, fleming is a good player, good captain, and is a good coach too, even warne preferred stephen to be a coach for the mighty aussies

POSTED BY
30-30-150
on | February 5, 2013, 15:40 GMT

Rajpoot and Imtiyaz are great signings. Rajpoot could be the next big thing.

POSTED BY
David_Doss
on | February 5, 2013, 15:29 GMT

NOw why the hell CSK isn;t recuiting anyone from TN? After all IPL was supposed to groom local talent. Aint it?

POSTED BY
CricketMaan
on | February 5, 2013, 14:33 GMT

Raina must have played his part in this, but good to know as he will be in good hands. I've always wondered why Tyagi never could make the most while he was with CSK. What about Malolan Rangarajan?

POSTED BY
Sunil_Canada
on | February 5, 2013, 19:15 GMT

1) Agree with Sathish.Velu & Roxsport: Fleming is a smart cricketer, I hope he is considered for coaching India once Fletcher's term expires.
2) CSK strategy is smart. You can have many good foreign players but only 4 can play. More Indian player offers better option for the team. Players like Chris Gayle / Sunil Naraine (sure I have missed some more) are exceptions as they can help you win on their own.
3) To David_Doss - You may define local talent = Indian talent, it may not necessarily mean from same city or state but from India.

POSTED BY
ROXSPORT
on | February 5, 2013, 15:36 GMT

UP fast bowlers Imtiaz Ahmed and Ankit Rajpoot as well as Haryana quick Mohit Sharma did well this season & were noted. These are shrewd buys. Stephen Fleming is proving to be a great person to coach CSK. Alongwith MSD, he seems to be doing a great job in building a good team. Look at the way he quickly discarded Manpreet Gony who became a sensation in the Ist IPL. And, as we have seen, over the years, Gony isn't good enough for internationals.

POSTED BY
CricketMaan
on | February 5, 2013, 14:33 GMT

Raina must have played his part in this, but good to know as he will be in good hands. I've always wondered why Tyagi never could make the most while he was with CSK. What about Malolan Rangarajan?

POSTED BY
David_Doss
on | February 5, 2013, 15:29 GMT

NOw why the hell CSK isn;t recuiting anyone from TN? After all IPL was supposed to groom local talent. Aint it?

POSTED BY
30-30-150
on | February 5, 2013, 15:40 GMT

Rajpoot and Imtiyaz are great signings. Rajpoot could be the next big thing.

POSTED BY
Sathish.Velu
on | February 5, 2013, 17:45 GMT

This is why I say stephen fleming is a good coach and he can be a good coach to our indian team too, sack fletcher and appoint stephen, people will say csk is rulingindian team. But who cares, fleming is a good player, good captain, and is a good coach too, even warne preferred stephen to be a coach for the mighty aussies

POSTED BY
Temuzin
on | February 5, 2013, 19:23 GMT

Good buy. Rajpoot can next big thing if handled properly. CSK team of coach/captain/management is the most professional. They always end up with great selection. Let Stephen coach team India

POSTED BY
class9ryan
on | February 6, 2013, 1:08 GMT

CSK had the least no of players in their squad , so its just signing in players so that in case of injuries 2 indian players they can have enough options .... i dont think they will get a game

POSTED BY
binu.emiliya
on | February 6, 2013, 5:54 GMT

Stephan Fleming should be INDIAN Coach he is good to spot the indian talents better than our national selectors,Ankit Rajpoot is a good bowler,hope he will get atleast one game .Mohith also impressed a lot in Ranji and he played well against ENG.

POSTED BY
sweetspot
on | February 6, 2013, 7:16 GMT

@CricketMaan - Well spotted! No doubt Raina had a say in UP chaps being selected. Don't have any doubt about one thing - CSK are grooming Raina to be the next captain. This is one management that works well with its team. They just go for good attitude and encourage players to play happily. They also do not go after superstars hoping for firepower each time. Fleming is phenomenally insightful and CSK this year have all bases covered with lots of options.

POSTED BY
FM97
on | February 6, 2013, 8:59 GMT

Fine squad this,for CSK...just add a few batsman who have done well in this years Ranji trophy like Sheldon Jackson (Saurashtra) or local Ganpathi Vignesh and there will be a great squad of young Indian talent , exciting unknown foreign players and the big international stars from India,Australia,Sri Lanka & South Africa. BTW... Duncan Fletcher's contract ends somwhere at the end of the year and Fleming's contract with CSK will end after IPL 6 is over. So certainly there are no prizes for guessing whom India can have as their next coach.